Decontamination/bioremediation of soils and/or waters contaminated by organic and/or inorganic compounds

Abstract

Decontamination/bioremediation of soils contaminated by organic and/or inorganic compounds includes the addition of a natural substrate containing nutrients to the contaminated soil, a period of time of anaerobic rest of said soil with control of the oxidation-reduction potential, of the humidity rate, of the field capacity and of the temperature, and thereafter the aeration of same; also decontaminated/bioremediated are surface or underground waters contaminated by organic and/or inorganic compounds, as the method for the bioremediation of contaminated soil is provided as the natural substrate containing nutrients and added to the soil reaches the level of the water and/or aquifer table contaminated by the organic and/or inorganic compounds, thus inducing the bioremediation thereof.

1 . A method for the bioremediation of soils contaminated by organic and/or inorganic contaminants, characterized in that it comprises the following stages:
 (a) addition of a natural substrate containing nutrients, directly or indirectly to the contaminated soil;   (b) anaerobic rest of the contaminated soil, with a moisture level that is between about 20% and 100% of the field capacity and a temperature between about 15° C. and 70° C.; and   (c) aeration of said soil.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises one or more cycles of anaerobic and/or aerobic treatment. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in either one of  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the natural substrate containing nutrients comprises substances of vegetable and/or animal origin. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the substrate containing nutrients of vegetable origin is selected from the group comprising wood chips, pieces and/or residues, sawdust, sugarcane bagasse, residues of vegetation and vegetable oil cake. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the natural substrate containing nutrients of animal origin is selected from the group comprising sludges and/or slurries from animals such as manure from cattle, echinates and poultry, notably chicken droppings, fresh or not. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that the natural substrate containing nutrients can be added to the contaminated soil in solid and/or liquid form. 
     
     
         7 . The method for the bioremediation of contaminated soils as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that the natural substrate containing nutrients, added to said soil, reaches the water table and/or aquifer contaminated by organic and/or inorganic compounds leading to the bioremediation of said water. 
     
     
         8 . The method for the bioremediation of contaminated soils as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that said method for the bioremediation of contaminated soil comprises a natural substrate containing nutrients added to said soil, and reaches the water table and/or aquifer contaminated by organic and/or inorganic compounds, leading to the bioremediation of said water. 
     
     
         9 . A method for the bioremediation of surface water or groundwater contaminated by organic and/or inorganic compounds, characterized in that it comprises the direct or indirect addition of a natural substrate containing nutrients comprising substances of vegetable and/or animal origin to said water. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , characterized in that the natural substrate mixture containing nutrients is established according to a rate of approximately 5 to 95 wt. % relative to the contaminated soil. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the natural substrate mixture containing nutrients is established according to a rate of approximately 30 to 70 wt. % relative to the contaminated soil. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  11 , characterized in that it comprises the addition of a source of nitrogen. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that said source of nitrogen comprises mineral nitrogen selected from the group comprising ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite and/or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  13 , characterized in that it comprises the supplementary addition of micronutrients and/or macronutrients and/or additives. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , characterized in that the additives are selected from the group comprising acids, oxides, peroxides, surfactants, surface-active substances and/or alkaline substances. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  15 , characterized in that the pH is between 2 and 12. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , characterized in that the pH is between 7 and 10. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  17 , characterized in that it comprises supplementary addition of microorganisms. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  18 , characterized in that the organic compounds present in contaminated soil and/or water comprise halogenated organic compounds. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  19 , characterized in that the inorganic compounds present in contaminated soil and/or water comprise oxyhalogenated compounds and/or heavy metals and/or their complexes and/or their salts and/or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         21 . A composition, characterized in that it contains a natural substrate in liquid and/or solid form containing nutrients comprising substances of vegetable and/or animal origin for use in the method for the bioremediation of water and/or soil contaminated by organic and/or inorganic compounds. 
     
     
         22 . Use of a natural substrate in liquid and/or solid form containing nutrients comprising substances of vegetable and/or animal origin in a method for the bioremediation of water and/or soil contaminated by organic and/or inorganic compounds.